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9,250 students across UK have started term in new learning environments

Space Zero, a leading strategic design consultancy, has completed 13 education projects across England, Scotland and Wales in time for the start of the new school year.

Spanning nursery, primary, secondary, SEND, faith schools, colleges and universities, the projects reflect the full breadth of the education sector.

Together they provide new and refurbished environments for almost 9,250 students, each designed to prioritise wellbeing, inclusivity and performance.

Wayne Taylor, Founder and CEO of Space Zero, said: “Our purpose has always been to rethink the possibilities of education environments, so that every learner has the best chance to flourish. Delivering 13 UK projects for the start of term is a significant collective achievement, and we are proud that almost 9,250 students will walk into spaces designed to support their growth and potential from the very beginning. 

“These environments will immediately inspire thousands of children as they walk through the doors this term.

“By coordinating closely with contractors, architects and supply partners, Space Zero has delivered a diverse pipeline of projects on time and on budget, ensuring thousands of children and young people began the new term in inspiring environments.”

In England, Space Zero’s portfolio showcases the breadth and depth of its design expertise, ranging from specialist sixth-form colleges to inclusive SEND schools in five regions.

The South East and Greater London has seen transformational spaces created at Carew Academy in Wallington, Surrey, Shenstone School in Dartford, and St Andrew the Apostle in Barnet.

Carew Academy showcases Space Zero’s commitment to inclusive design, creating a new facility for 246 students with autism, sensory impairments and complex learning needs. The interiors support the school’s Trauma-Informed and Therapeutic School status, combining calming learning spaces with vocational and life skills areas. Specialist classrooms and land-based study zones allow learners to grow produce, for both school meals and enterprise projects, ensuring the environment nurtures both wellbeing and independence.

In the North West of England, students have returned to new facilities at Bolton UCS, Dixons Newall Green Academy in Wythenshawe, Pear Tree Academy in Cheadle Hulme, and Newhouse Academy in Heywood. Elsewhere in the country, the North East has seen a new learning environment at the Teesside University’s Digital Life Building in Middlesbrough and the West Midlands has benefited from investment at Florence McWilliam in Stoke-on-Trent.

In Scotland, Space Zero provided interior design services and fitted furniture for three new primary schools: Craighall and Blindwells in East Lothian, and Hawkhill in West Lothian.

Although Craighall and Blindwells share the same architectural layout, Space Zero created distinctive interiors that reflect their communities using unique colour palettes and environmental graphics. At Craighall, the design reflected the area’s mining heritage and surrounding landscape through rocks, coal seams, sandstone buildings and the heather-covered hills, while Blindwells took inspiration from its coastal setting of waves, tides and dunes. Space Zero also provided the fitted furniture, fixtures and equipment, including teaching walls, cupboards and cloakrooms, giving the schools complete, ready-to-use interiors.

In Wales, Space Zero supported the creation of the new Ysgol Mynydd Isa Campus in Flintshire, a combined nursery, primary and secondary facility for more than 1,300 students.

Working with Flintshire Council, Space Zero designed, manufactured and installed the fitted furniture, while the local authority provided the loose FF&E through Space Zero. The consultancy addressed the challenge of bringing two schools together under a shared entrance by creating age-appropriate interiors that retained their individuality. Thoughtfully designed layouts and carefully selected products, finishes and materials distinguished the primary and secondary areas, ensuring each offered functional and welcoming spaces tailored to its students.

Together, these projects highlight Space Zero’s national impact and regional reach, shaping environments where learners, educators, and communities thrive now and remain supported as education continues to change.

Wayne Taylor added: “Every project we deliver is about people: empowering teachers with the tools to inspire, giving pupils spaces where they feel safe and motivated, and reassuring parents that their children are getting the best possible start.”

“Our role is to listen, collaborate and create environments that honour that trust. Whether it’s a specialist college or a local primary, our commitment is the same: to design schools that enable learning, nurture wellbeing, and serve communities for generations to come.”

To learn more visit https://spacezero.co.uk